Law society slams bigoted attacks on Dausab
Sodomy law ruling draws ire
The minister has faced insults from both members of the public and parliamentarians alike.
The Law Society of Namibia (LSN) has condemned what it called a trend of sensationalised and negative commentary directed at justice minister Yvonne Dausab, concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriages.
Many politicians, activists and pastors openly criticised a High Court ruling in late June that declared the criminalisation of gay sex unconstitutional. Some anti-gay activists even threatened to boycott the November presidential elections until the judgment was reversed.
Members of the public have expressed outrage towards the decision. One commenter stated: "The government in power must be voted out for this nonsense... We have been watching this agenda pushed by the minister of justice. I personally believe she was appointed for such evil agendas. We want a government that can morally lead us, not Swapo liberals and anti-God".
On Facebook, another person wrote: "We are a Christian country, away with the Sodom and Gomorrah idea of a man marrying another man. Not even animals do such”.
Man or woman?
With talks rife that Dausab allegedly travelled to South Africa a year ago to marry her partner, also a woman, the president of the now deregistered Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) Epafras Mukwiilongo publicly attacked the minister in parliament, challenging her to state whether she was a man or a woman.
Last year, Dausab faced accusations that she was a relative, and perhaps a silent instigator, of Friedel Dausab who challenged the legality of the sodomy law in the High Court - which ruled in his favour last month.
In a statement, the LSN said these kinds of comments undermine the principles of fairness, justice and respect for all individuals. It urged the public to engage in respectful, informed and conducive discussions.
The law society further cautioned media houses and individuals to exercise restraint and responsibility in their commentary and reporting, ensuring that they maintain high integrity and avoid unnecessary personal attacks.
[email protected]
Many politicians, activists and pastors openly criticised a High Court ruling in late June that declared the criminalisation of gay sex unconstitutional. Some anti-gay activists even threatened to boycott the November presidential elections until the judgment was reversed.
Members of the public have expressed outrage towards the decision. One commenter stated: "The government in power must be voted out for this nonsense... We have been watching this agenda pushed by the minister of justice. I personally believe she was appointed for such evil agendas. We want a government that can morally lead us, not Swapo liberals and anti-God".
On Facebook, another person wrote: "We are a Christian country, away with the Sodom and Gomorrah idea of a man marrying another man. Not even animals do such”.
Man or woman?
With talks rife that Dausab allegedly travelled to South Africa a year ago to marry her partner, also a woman, the president of the now deregistered Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) Epafras Mukwiilongo publicly attacked the minister in parliament, challenging her to state whether she was a man or a woman.
Last year, Dausab faced accusations that she was a relative, and perhaps a silent instigator, of Friedel Dausab who challenged the legality of the sodomy law in the High Court - which ruled in his favour last month.
In a statement, the LSN said these kinds of comments undermine the principles of fairness, justice and respect for all individuals. It urged the public to engage in respectful, informed and conducive discussions.
The law society further cautioned media houses and individuals to exercise restraint and responsibility in their commentary and reporting, ensuring that they maintain high integrity and avoid unnecessary personal attacks.
[email protected]
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